EVENTS
January 29, 2023
PRESHOW: 6:30 p.m.
PROGRAM: 7:00 p.m.
📍 Legacy Dodge Field (MacDonald Island Park)
The Wood Buffalo 2023 Arctic Winter Games Opening Ceremonies presented by Bouchier will include the lighting of the cauldron and the conclusion of the Torch Relay. This shining show takes place under the night sky. Dress warm and kick off Games week with high energy!
February 4, 2023
PRESHOW: 3:30 p.m.
PROGRAM: 4:00 p.m.
Legacy Dodge Field (MacDonald Island Park)
The Wood Buffalo 2023 Arctic Winter Games Closing Ceremonies presented by Finning will conclude an exciting Games week. Dress warm as we celebrate a fun week of cultural and sporting events and say goodbye to our circumpolar North neighours.
January 30 & 31, 2023
TIME: 4-8 p.m.
📍 Snye Point Park
The Wood Buffalo 2023 Arctic Winter Games will host, Shine on the Snye, a free two-day evening event themed around the northern lights and northern living. Snye Point Park will come to life with the colours and light production based on the “Time to Shine” theme of the Games. The event features dog sledding tours with a public viewing, local Indigenous cultural tents/activations, Bannock on a stick, Cree and Dene language displays, campfires with local storytelling and more!
CULTURE ACTIVITIES & EXHIBITS
February 2 & 3, 2023
TIME: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.This family-friendly event will take place at Keyano Theatre
The Cultural Gala will showcase the talents of Cultural Participants from across the circumpolar North. The Gala will feature a blend of performance disciplines including theatre, dance, music, and others as well as a collaborative piece that cultural participants learn and rehearse together.
January 30 – February 3, 2023
MacDonald Island Park, 2-8 p.m.
Visit the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo’s booth to learn more about a different culture each day of the week at the Suncor Community Leisure Centre (MacDonald Island Park).
Conklin Community Showcase
January 30
Conklin Multiplex, 12-4 p.m.
Join us at the Conklin Multiplex for a Showcase Women’s Hockey Game as Alberta North takes on Alaska. A community meal and cultural delegate performance will be held following the hockey game.
Hockey Game: 12-2 p.m.
Community Meal: 2-3 p.m.
Cultural Performances: 3-4 p.m.
Fort Chipewyan Community Showcase
January 31
Mamawi Hall, 2-4 p.m.
The Fort Chipewyan Community Showcase presented by Suncor takes place on January 31. Join us for a community meal from 2-3 p.m. followed by cultural delegate performances from 3-4 p.m. at Mamawi Hall.
February 1, 2023
MacDonald Island Park, 12-4 p.m.
As a part of the Games’ Culture Program and the Truth and Reconciliation Pin Series, the Host Society has committed to educating the public and participants on Missing Murdered Exploited Indigenous Peoples through the “Red Dress Pin” initiative.
Attendees are welcome to explore a pop-up art gallery of local Indigenous art created intentionally to represent the issues of Missing, Murdered & Exploited Indigenous Peoples. The gallery will be followed by a creative activity based on the information they experienced and will obtain the 2023 AWG Red Dress pin.
Presented by Athabasca Tribal Council
February 2, 2023
MacDonald Island Park, 12-4 p.m.
Attendees are welcome to experience the exhibition by the Legacy of Hope Foundation titled Generations Lost: Healing the Legacy of Residential Schools. The exhibition shares a 100-year timeline on the creation and implementation of the residential school system in Canada, as well as the steps towards healing including the 2008 apology by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and historical resilience of Indigenous peoples today.
Attendees can explore the exhibition and then attend a creative activity based on the information they experienced and will obtain the 2023 AWG Orange Shirt pin.
Presented by Athabasca Tribal Council
LES SEPT ENSEIGNEMENTS SACRÉS
A roving exhibit detailing the Seven Sacred Teachings, will travel to various Games venues during the week of January 29 – February 4. In Indigenous culture, the Seven Sacred Teachings are an oral traditional teaching that are passed down through generations and are shared across the lands of our country since the beginning of history. These teachings honour the virtues necessary to live a full and healthy, happy, and balanced life.
Time to shine cultural exhibit
The Time to Shine Cultural Exhibit will be curated to reflect the slogan of the Wood Buffalo 2023 Arctic Winter Games, Time to Shine. The exhibit will feature items from the participating cultural contingents, and the First Nations and Métis Nations located within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. The exhibit will be located in Keyano Theatre & Arts Centre and will be open for viewing to the general public and AWG participants.
January 29- February 4, 2023
TIME: Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday – Friday 10 a.m. -6 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
📍 Suncor Community Leisure Centre (MacDonald Island Park)
Pin trading is, for some, an obsession and at the Arctic Winter Games, it’s an unofficial sport! Visit the Pin Trading Post during Games week to learn more about pin trading, meet and trade pins with other guests, and learn more about the Games and culture of other countries.